‘Don’t struggle for politics if there’s nothing in it,’ Akpabio tells Fubara at Wigwe’s funeral
“So your Excellency Governor Fubara, if there’s nothing in the struggle, don’t struggle.”
There was a mild drama between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the funeral service of the late Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe on Saturday.
NewsClick Nigeria reports that what was supposed to be a solemn funeral service almost turned into a platform for exchange of words between two heavy politicians.
In the now-viral video, Fubara questioned the motives of the political class attending the funeral, expressing frustration over the violence and power struggles.
Fubara, while giving his remarks at the burial had said: “This one has to do with our political class, what is all this trouble all about.
“You want to kill, You want to bury, what is it all about.”
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio while reacting to Fubara’s comment directed to the political class who attended Wigwe’s funeral, asked the Rivers governor to quit his political career if he thinks it is not worthwhile.
Akpabio, while making his own remarks, said, “What is the struggle all about? I will answer you.
“The struggle, we are not talking politics. In 2006 I wanted to be a deputy governor, so the then-deputy governor invited me and told me that this office has no money, there is nothing in it. I don’t know why you still insist on removing me from here and taking over.
“So the woman who went with me said ‘Your Excellency, then don’t wait for impeachment, just resign since there’s nothing in it’.
“And he stood up and started punching the woman, and I told him, Your Excellency, don’t punch her, she’s telling the truth. There’s nothing in the office that’s why I want it, because you’re too big for it.
“So your Excellency Governor Fubara, if there’s nothing in the struggle, don’t struggle.”
The remains of the late Wigwes arrived in Rivers State for burial on Friday.
The funeral service was conducted at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Recall that the trio of Wigwe, wife, and son died on February 9, 2024, in an unfortunate helicopter crash in California, United States of America.
